《行脚僧图》
敦煌的《行脚僧图》一共有20幅，画面多数为僧人携虎而行。敦煌壁画中有8幅，敦煌藏经洞出土有12幅纸画和绢画，分别收藏于法国吉美博物馆、法国国家图书馆、韩国国立中央博物馆和俄罗斯艾尔米塔什博物馆。
敦煌绢画EO.1138是其中最精美的一幅。这件创作于9世纪的唐代绢画，现存法国吉美博物馆。僧人身着交领的法衣，领口露出白色的内衣。他左手执木杖、右手提数珠，腰间挂锥子、小刀、熏炉等物，裸足穿凉鞋。他背着一个满载经卷、像背篓一样的巨大竹笈，前方悬着一个金色香囊，竹笈的后方有一根木头挂着拂尘、幡和净瓶等物。僧人上方的云端，有一尊坐在莲台上的小佛像，此即宝胜如来。僧人的身后，有一只乖顺的老虎随行，路边的小鸟也驻足观看。
这幅绢画设色淡雅、精细入微，僧衣及竹笈上以金泥彩描。画家出色地塑造出一位求法之路上的僧人形象，他身负重物，却眼神坚定，一人一虎执着前行。历史上，有很多僧人曾往来于丝绸之路，他们对佛教的传播是东西方文化交流的重要内容，《行脚僧图》形象地记录了这些古代文化传播者的形象。
The Traveling Monk
A total of 20 traveling-monk paintings have been found in Dunhuang. The scenes often depict monks walking accompanied by tigers. The scenes often depict monks walking accompanied by tigers. Eight of them are murals and 12 paper and silk paintings, which were brought to light from the Library Cave. These works are now held in various collections including Guimet Museum in France, the National Library of France, the National Museum of Korea, and Hermitage Museum in Russia.
The Dunhuang silk painting, The Traveling Monk with a Tiger, is considered the most exquisite of its kind. The Tang-dynasty silk painting, created in the 9th Century, is currently housed in Guimet Museum in France. The monk in the painting is dressed in a robe with a crossed collar, revealing a white undergarment at the neckline. He holds a wooden staff in his left hand and a string of prayer beads in his right hand. Various items such as an awl, a knife, and an incense burner hang from his waist, and he wears sandals over bare feet. Strapped to his back is a large bamboo basket packed with scriptures and resembling a carrying frame. A golden incense pouch hangs from the front of the basket, while a stick at the back carries a fly-whisk, banners, and a purification bottle. Above the monk, a small Buddha, seated on a lotus throne and identified as Ratna-sambhava, hovers on the cloud. Following closely behind the monk is a calm, obedient tiger, and nearby, birds pause along the road to watch.
The painting is delicately colored, with an elegant, subtle palette. Fine gold paint highlights the monk's robe and bamboo basket. The artist masterfully portrays the monk's steadfast determination as he carries his heavy load on his quest for wisdom. Despite the burden, his gaze remains resolute, and together with the tiger, he continues his journey. Historically, many monks traveled the Silk Road, playing a key role in the spread of Buddhism and the exchanges between ancient Chinese civilization and various other cultures along the Silk Road. This painting vividly captures the image of these ancient cultural ambassadors.
